Near the northern end of the Owens Valley, between the state's two highest mountain ranges, Bishop is the center of a vast recreation and resort area and is an outfitting point for pack trips. Bishop Creek Canyon is west on Bishop Creek Highway (SR 168) within Inyo National Forest.

A health resort in the 1920s and ’30s, Keough's Hot Springs remains the largest natural hot springs pool in the region. It's 7 miles south of town at 800 Keoughs Hot Springs Rd.; phone (760) 872-4670.